YONKERS, NY – June 14, 2018   “The Yonkers Board of Education Trustees look forward to adopting the 2018-2019 District budget on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 without the need to layoff any staff,” noted Board of Education President Rev. Steve Lopez.  With the adoption of the City of Yonkers 2018-2019 budget last night by the City Council, the Board of Education can move forward with a $615.6 million budget for next year. 

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada will provide the Trustees a balanced budget without layoffs.  “Months of advocacy by relentless stakeholders with State and local officials paid off,” noted Dr. Quezada.  “The sustained progress our District has made improving instruction, students’ academic achievement and graduation rates was validated by the support we continue to receive from Governor Andrew Cuomo.  The Governor’s actions signifies his understanding of the hard work being done by everyone in Yonkers.”

The Trustees and Superintendent also extend their gratitude for the commitment made by Mayor Mike Spano, New York Senators Andrea Stewart Cousins and Shelley Mayer, Assembly Member Gary Pretlow and the Yonkers City Council.  “Our wholehearted thanks goes to Mayor Spano for his unyielding support for education in Yonkers, which is continuously bolstered in Albany by our State Delegation,” added Board of Education Vice President Judith Ramos Meier. 

Dr. Quezada added, “A new strong coalition laser focused on Yonkers education was formed this year through the extensive advocacy undertaken by the Yonkers Council of PTAs, Federation of Teachers, Council of Administrators, CSEA and Teamsters working hand-in-hand with the Trustees.  Moving forward, I am confident that the leadership of this new coalition will continue to join forces to sustain quality education for all children in Yonkers.”